Elon law and MBA students participating in a collaborative Winter Term course on international business chronicled their trip to Vietnam and Singapore through a blog accessible through the E-Cast link to the right of this article.
Their trip is part of the “International Business” joint course between Elon University’s Martha and Spencer Love School of Business and Elon University School of Law. In the course, students experience two distinct societies and economies: Vietnam and Singapore.
The experience occurs through the lens of business, legal and cultural activities in each location. Case studies relating to international business and legal issues are incorporated throughout the course.
The joint trip includes 12 MBA students and 12 law students. The faculty and staff leading the trip are: Professor Neeraj Gupta, assistant professor, Department of Finance, Martha and Spencer Love School of Business; assistant professor Andy Haile, Elon Law; Jack Hicks, adjunct professor, Elon Law, and an attorney with Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, PLLC; and Judy Dulberg, MBA Program Coordinator.
Experiences for the students on the trip have included meetings with Frasers International Lawyers, a firm comprised of international lawyers that helps foreigners wanting to do business in Vietnam, Theodore Alexander, a furniture company that manufacturers high-end furniture and shows at the High Point Furniture Market twice a year, Gilimex, a manufacturer of backpacks, cosmetic bags, cushions, hammocks, collapsible storage boxes, and suitcases, and the American Chamber of Commerce, Singapore Office. Details about these visits and other meetings with a wide range of law firms, global corporations and government agencies can be found through the International Business 2011 blog.
In the course, students gain valuable cultural and business knowledge through readings and orientations that are held prior to departure, focused observations, lectures, and directed self-learning. A major component of the course is student interaction with global and foreign businesses leaders and understanding how differences in culture, law and politics influence business.
The trip, taking place from Jan. 13 to Jan. 23, is the second collaborative international business course between the two schools. Last January, nine Elon Law students and nine MBA students participated in an international business course that included meetings with top business and law leaders in China, Hong Kong, and Vietnam.
By Danielle Appelman, L’12 and Philip Craft, staff